Book Description 3D printing is a nothing short of revolutionary. There may be no other technology that enables the at-home inventor or artist to design, create, and "print" their own parts, artwork, or whatever else can be imagined. Idiot's Guides: 3D Printing takes the true beginner through all of the steps necessary to design and build their own 3D printer and design and print whatever their imagination can conjure up (even another 3D printer). Readers will learn all of the essential basics of 3D printing including materials, parts, software, modeling, basic design, and finishing, and then teach them to take their new skills to the next level to print some simple, fun projects. For readers not interested in building their own 3D printer, there are tips and advice for buying a manufactured printer, buying materials, finding plans and projects online, and much, much more. Show and hide more
Table of Contents
Cover Title Page Dedication Copyright Page Introduction Part 1: What Is 3D Printing? 1 The Goal of 3D Printing For Businesses Rapid Prototyping Manufacturing For the Hobbyist The Maker Culture A Tool in Your Arsenal Common Misconceptions Materials You Can Use A Replicator in Every Home The Time It Takes What It Can Print Finishing 2 The History and Future of 3D Printing 3D Printing Is Born Hull’s and 3D Systems’ Contributions The Invention of FDM Printing The Development of Other 3D Printing Processes The RepRap Project Initial Intentions The Importance of Open Source Rapid Development Refinement, Availability, and Your Wallet Maturation of Technology Availability of Parts The Race to the Lowest Price 3 Manufacturing with 3D Printers and CNC Mills The Simple Principle Behind 3D Printing Slicing and Creating Layers for Your Model Extruding Filament CNC Milling and How It Works Subtracting with CAM Software Milling the Material Pros and Cons of 3D Printers vs. CNC Mills Cost Part Geometry Material Matters Surface Finish Using the Right Tool for the Job 4 Types of 3D Printers Stereolithography Digital Light Processing Powder Bed Printing MultiJet Printing Selective Laser Sintering Fused Filament Fabrication Part 2: All About the Hardware 5 The Frame Cartesian Layouts Ways Cartesian 3D Printers Are Constructed Cartesian Layout Considerations The Importance of Frame Construction Rigidity and How It Affects Quality and Reliability What Makes a Good Frame Size Matters 6 Movement Components Components for Smooth Linear Motion Rails and Smooth Rods Bearings Stepper Motors Belts and Pulleys Weight-Bearing Components for Converting Motion Lead Screws Threaded Rods Attachment and Connection Components Couplers Nuts 7 The Extruder What Is Extrusion? The Cold End Direct Feed Bowden Direct Drive vs. Geared The Hot End Thermistor Heating Element Physical Design and Makeup The Nozzle Print Fans Using Multiple Extruders For Support Material For Filaments with Different Properties 8 The Build Platform Build Platform Materials Heated Beds Heated Build Chambers and Enclosures Surface Treatments Painter’s Tape White Glue Polyimide Film PET Film ABS Juice Hairspray 9 Control Components End Stops Mechanical End Stops Optical End Stops Other Kinds of End Stops Control Boards Arduinos and Proprietary Control Boards Changing or Upgrading Control Boards SD Card Support Using an SD Card Benefits of SD Cards LCD Controllers 10 Choosing a 3D Printer Open or Closed? What Does It Mean to Be Open Source? Why It Might Matter to You Assembled, Kit, or DIY? Assembled 3D Printers 3D Printer Kits Building a DIY 3D Printer Determining Your Needs Print Volume Print Resolution Filament Prices Printers with Unusual Designs Part 3: Setting Up and Printing 11 Software Setup and Printer Control Firmware Explained Choosing Host Software Choosing Slicing Software Connecting to Your Printer Controlling Your Printer G-Code Printing with G-Code Performing Functions Manually with G-Code 12 Leveling the Bed and Adjusting the Z Height Why Does Your Bed Need to Be Leveled? Manual Leveling Auto-Leveling How to Adjust Your Z Height Setting the Z Height Manually or Automatically Knowing the “Correct” Z Height 13 Slicing and Printing Configuring Your Slicing Software Slicer Settings Explained Printer Settings Filament Settings Print Settings Preparing for and Running a Print Host Preparation Running a Print 14 Troubleshooting Your Prints What’s the Problem? Extrusion Problems Overextrusion Underextrusion Jamming Poor Dimensional Accuracy Temperature Problems Hot End Is Too Hot Hot End Is Too Cold Cracking of Part Due to Cooling Discoloration of Filament Due to Heat Adhesion Problems Warping Part Comes Loose Part Breaks During Removal Other Printer Problems Blobs Stringing Drooping Ghosting Project 1: Carabiner Preheat the Extruder and Heated Bed Load the .STL File Slice the Model Load the Filament Extrude Some Filament Start the Print Watch the First Layer Let the Part Cool Remove the Part Project 2: Pencil Holder Load the .STL File and Resize the Model, If Necessary Preheat the Extruder and Heated Bed, and Load the Filament Modify the Slicer Settings to Make the Model a Cup Slice the Model Start the Print Watch the First Layer Remove the Part Project 3: Robot Load the .STL File Preheat the Extruder and Heated Bed, and Load the Filament Modify the Slicer Settings for Supports Slice the Model Start the Print Watch the First Layer Remove the Part Remove the Supports Project 4: Storage Box with Drawers Open Your Host Software and Load the Storage Body .STL File Slice the Storage Body Print the Storage Body Load the Drawer .STL File and Slice It Print the Drawer Print Two More Drawers Part 4: 3D Modeling 15 Introduction to CAD Why CAD Came About Artistic 3D Modeling vs. CAD Software CAD Software Options An Overview of Common CAD Program Commands Modeling Commands Sketching Commands The Importance of Units and Scale Choosing Units Scaling in CAD 16 Modeling Techniques and Best Practices Premodeling Tricks of the Trade Assemblies and Fitting Parts Planning an Assembly Fitting Parts Together Modeling Successful 3D Parts Exporting Files 17 Practical Reverse Engineering Why You Should Learn Basic Reverse Engineering Finding the Right Measurement Tools Digital Calipers: A Necessary Tool 3D Scanners: Not All They’re Cracked Up to Be Measuring the Part Inferences Geometric Design Intention Proportions Modeling the Part Project 5: Monogrammed Coaster Open Your CAD Program and Create a New Part Extrude a Circle Fillet the Top Edge Cut the Letter Export the .STL File and Print Project 6: Custom Storage Drawer Open Your CAD Program and Create a New Part Extrude the Body of the Drawer Cut an Opening for the Handle Design the Compartments Add a Rough Handle Add Fillets to Handle Add Ridges for Grip Export the .STL File and Print Project 7: Dust Collector Create a New Part and Revolve the Body Cut a Groove Create the Second Part and Revolve the Body Make the First Clip Copy the Clip Export the .STL Files and Print Project 8: Reverse Engineering a Useful Part Create a New Part and Extrude the Body Fillet the Edges Shell the Cover Cut One Socket Opening Mirror the Socket Opening Create the Screw Hole Support Add the Screw Hole Export the .STL File and Print Part 5: Advanced Usage and Techniques 18 Printing with Other Materials What Materials Are Available? Nylon Polycarbonate Flexible Filament Wood Filament PET HIPS Hardware Needed All-Metal Hot Ends Print Fans Heated Beds and Bed Materials Printing Techniques Temperature Speed Cooling Layer Thickness 19 Modifying Your Printer Adding a Fan Shroud Adding a Heated Bed Bed Size Control Board Power Supply Switching to All-Metal Hot Ends Installing Multiple Extruders Extending Axes Converting to a PCB Mill Alterations for Laser Cutting Finding Parts Appendixes A Glossary B Resources C Further Uses of 3D Printing About the Author
